A day in the life of a Borough Market trader

Marianna from Oliveology talks to us about embracing the elements, award-winning olives, and life in one of London’s oldest food markets.

It is achingly difficult to pass by Oliveology without taking a closer look: the wooden shelves piled high with Greek oils, cheeses and honeys test the willpower of any hungry wanderer. A smiling staff member hands over a free sample of their award-winning raw olives, grinning haughtily as you ask for another, before cheerfully obliging. Another directs you to a counter lined with an incredible selection of olive oils made in more varieties than you thought possible (tip: try the walnut, rosemary and fennel oil, it’s divine) all in dishes with dipper-sized chunks of bread, just waiting to be enjoyed. Every visit is a treat for the tastebuds, and one thing quickly becomes abundantly clear: these people take their produce seriously.

This is Oliveology, nestled within London’s historic Borough Market, and the brainchild of Marianna Kolokotroni. Offering up a veritable smorgasbord of hand-picked Greek produce, it’s hard to believe Marianna as she recounts its humble beginnings 7 years ago, with just a table, an umbrella, and a few bottles of delicious artisanal olive oil from Sparta. Her pride in her brand is clear as she talks us through its expansion, particularly moving into the current store last year, which is when she chose to become part of the Lightspeed community. We asked her a few questions on the trader lifestyle, life in one of London’s most prestigious food markets, and how incorporating technology into such a traditional form of sale has been.